Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-23
man nature which finds expression at

UlHU sahN' elfhNoRhSh ~ |
the lower end Of Madison avenue.
Anybody who wants to study babies |
seems 10 turn instinctively toward Mad |
ison Square. Ii is the Mecca Of the
well-to-do infant and the gossip-ground
of the nurse employed by the glad
some parents Of he well-to-do in
FAINT. But / never seek there the
study of the diminutiye and really
American. Heis monotonously similar
there, the rrecocious product of pom
pous and proud parents. Be-
meath the falling leaves Of autumn
these infants Pambol on the green
some Of them will do the same llter in
life with more varying results-but
their charm is not for me. 1t Is my
custom of pn afternoon 10 pass through
both quarters in My long stroll up town
from business, and Chatham Squares
to babies, as well rs other necessary aud
unnecessary evils-possesses more
charm TO the inch for the student OF
life in big city than any two of the
swellest spots in New York.
The pullers-in for clothing empo-
RUNS know me my face is familiar
also to the gentleman who sings the
praises of the dime museum, and he
whom the police call the fakir. pass
unmOlested and obscryant, and seldom
does the journey end without some IN
cident worthy OF reflection.
The other day lad inst turned into
the square and had passed Mott street.
when commotion a short distance IN
advance attracted my attention. The
Heterogeneous mob of pedestrians were
collecting about some moving object.
Hurry up, Sally, let's see its face,
shouted a very dirty little girl OF ten
whose frowsv red hair and freckled face
blusbod against my arm. y dozen OF
tbe assorted babies on the block-sOme
of them with faces double the age OF
their bodies-were making for the cen
tire of attraction, and | followed their
example.
Can Won guess what caused such a
passing sonsation-for nothing short OF
a fire causes more on the B0wcry? One
poor little Chinese baby, Of two Celes
tial summers, who toddled along the
walk with bis tiny fist holding hard the
hand of Chinaman whose native dress
indicated that he was well 10 do. The
little one was attired in a compromise
between New York and China, with
trousers and Jacket, and n fancy turban
was on his head. 4 wonderfully bright
face it was that gaZed up stolidiy at the
curious crowd, and accepted rough en-
deavors to caress with all the serenity
of a wooden image. Curious to know
who the swell youthful heather might
be, ] Intercepted his guardian IN my
very best Chinese, and was informed
that Tom Lee. famous rs tue only dep
uty sheriff of his race in New York,
was the father.
Now, knew Tom. who is n clever
fellow and opulent withal, and the pro-
priotor of a pretentious grocery at the
corner Of Mott street and the BOwery.
knew, too, that there was a Mrs. Tom,
who was not Chinese. 50 | was puzzled
to account for the true features of tue
boy, and determined to pay the ladyan
! afternoon call at once and clear the
matter up.
She happened to be visiting, | was
informed at the cigar store OF friend
few doors deeper into Chinatown.
This shop, which was very neat. Was
| decorated on one side with Chiniman
nursing black eye on soap-b0X, and
on The other with an ordinary cigar
case. Behind the latter sat a Father
pretty woman with German features,
busily engaged in knitting and looking
so neat and comfortable that it was
quite impossible to address her without
lifting my hat.
81 beg pardon, Madam said l.,
"but am looking for the wife OF Tom
Lee"
"No, you're loolungat her, sir, - was
the smiling response.
"Indeed +"
Ny evident admiration and the pur-
chase Of fye-cent cigar for fifteen
cents placed me at once upon an easy
and chatty footing, and / related TO
her the sensation caused by her young
sters afternoon promenade.
"Ch, yes she said, they always
follow him"
"Eut how is it that he has such
Chinese fcaturos?"
Tin sure | don't know. have had
four children since | married Tom, and
all looked like their father. Two OF
them are dead"
docs a Chinaman make a good
husband?"
The little woman's answer WAS en-
phatic.
well, wouldn't want to change
my husband. He's always kind to me,
and when want a thing [ have only to
ask him and he gets it for me-.
care there many women Of New York
married to Cinnamon? ~
about fifty, | guess. You see,
there are about 5000 Cinnamon in the
city and only a very few Chinese women.
Babies? Oh, well, there are about 300
from the mixed marriages, but all that
| have seen have the features Of the
father. OF course you don't often sec
them on the street. Why? Because
they draw crowd, and it isn't pleasant
for the Chinaman who has them III
charge. You can find them down
through this street, though, if You
know where to look. Good day, sir.
If my baby is still on the Bowery tell
him to come home
| couldnt help thinking, as strolled
on, what new and strange conditions
the progress of the Chinaman here has
evolved, and what startling thing il
would beif oil these Chinese babies were
simultaneously deposited in Madison
Square. Yet here they live their little
daily lives among us, and few Of Us are
the wiser.
/ was so absent-minded that evening
that gave Mrs. Tom Lees cigar TO an
acquaintance against whom | harbOred
grudge.
BURLESQCE.
Buresque is abroad again. Mr.. Ed
ward l.. Rice has returned 10 town Will
his troup of amply-revealed women
and they are causing the usual amount
of perturbation, tribulation, and excite
ment among the contingent of unna
turally young old men and preterna
turaly old young men to form tht
main pillar and support Of such shows
There is substantial reason for the
success OF burlesque everywhere. There
is no doubt that women are fond o.
looking at other members Of their SCI
whose charms are well displayed anC
mans predilectiOn i'm this respect date.